Slider for separable fasteners



ep 1951 L. w. SCHAAFF 2,568,653

SLIDERFOR SEPARABLE FASTENERS Filed Nov. 19, 1946 FIG. 2

33 91 3nnentor LOUIS W. SCHAAFF,

. (Ittorneg Patented Sept. 18, 1951 SLIDER FOR 'SEPARABLE FASTENERS Louis W Schaafi, Jackson Heights, N. Y., assignor to Waldes .Koh-I-Noor, Inc., Long Island City, .N.Y., a corporation of New York Application November 19, 1946, Serial No. 710,809

3 Claims. (01. 2.420'5.14)

This invention relates to improvements in sliders for separable fasteners :of the so-called slide fastener type employing rows of oppositely disposed fastener elements which are adapted to be progressively interlocked and disengaged by a slider actuable along the length of the rows, and

more particularly to :an automatic lock slider cap-able of locking itself against movement in any position along the rows to which it is actuated, and of unlocking itself when the slider is actuated intentionally to open or close the fastener.

Broadly stated, the invention aims to provide -a simple, effective and :reliable slider for slide fasteners which is capable of automatically and positively locking itself against movement in any at-rest or stop position to which itmay be actuated along the rows of interlocking elements, and

which automatically unlocks itself in response to intentional actuation of the slider in either opening or closing direction. Afurther object of the invention is the provision of an automatic lock slide: for slide fasteners which .is so constructed and arranged that it is notapt to cause damage to the slide fastener or parts thereof or to interfere with the desirable :smooth functioning of the slider.

More particularly, the invention aims to provide an automatic lock slider'for slide fasteners which employs a locking'member that is mounted within the slider body for lateral shifting movement into and out of locking engagement with one or more of the interlocking elements embraced within the body, which is adapted to be spring-held in its locking'position, and which is moreover automatically spring-returned to its said locking position upon cessation of movement of the slider in either opening or closing direction.

Still another object of the'invention is the provision of an automatic lock slider employing a locking member mounted within the slider body, wherein the locking member, in addition to functioning as such, also serves as a bail to which the finger piece or pull tab by which the slider is actuated is hinged, and wherein the connection between pull tab and locking member is such as to effect transverse shift of the locking vmember through the slider body of an unlocking position in response to actuation of the pull tab to its raised or slider-operating position.

The above and other objects and features of advantage will appear from the following description, taken with the drawing illustrating a preferred physical embodiment of the invention in which- Fig. l is a partial plan view of a slide fastener and automatic lock slider according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken through the slider to show the lower wing and fastener elements em:

braced by the slider in plan view;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken through the fastener and slider on a line corresponding to line 33 of Fig. 2, with the locking member being shown in its locking position;

. Fig. 4 is .a View similar to Fig. 3,-in which the locking member is shown in its unlocking position; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. .3 illustrating a modified construction of locking memben In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, numerals l 0 and l l designate fastener tapes having edge beads l2, I3 on which the oppositely disposed interlocking fastener elements l4, 15 are mounted in parallel edge row arrangement. Such elements are conventionally formed at their one end with jaws It, l 6a which are clamped over the edge "beads I2, 13 and :at their other end with locking heads ll, Ha which are adapted to engage in corresponding recesses in the under head surfaces of the elements of the opposite rows thereof.

The fastener elements are adapted to. be engaged and disengagedby a V-shaped slider 29 disposed to embrace the opposite fastener elements in known manner. Such a slider comprises a front wing 2| and :a rear wing 22 (Fig.

3), both provided with conventional side flanges 23, 23a which form guides for the fastener elements in their passage through the slider, it being noted that only the flanges of the lower wing are shown in Fig. 2. The two slider wings are connected in spaced relation by a web or neck. 25, which, in the illustrated construction, is shown to be indented, to result in the neck forming also a wedge or divider 26 which functionsto effect disengagement of the fastener 'elements as the slider is moved downwardly (Figs.

. 1and2).

what below thewedge 25, the aperture 28 of the lower wing 22 being formed with slanted or' inclined side edges 2-9, 29a. Contained within the slider body and with its ends extending into said apertures is a locking member generally designated 30, which, in the illustrated construction, takes the form of a bar of springy metal bent to approximate U-form so as to provide diverging legs 31, 32 connected at their upper or forward ends. Preferably, the free ends em, 32a. of the legs 3|, 32 are inclined sharply to the plane of the legs proper, to correspond to the inclination of the edges 29, 29a, of the aperture 28 of the lower slider wing. As also seen in Fig. 3, the over-all length of the locking member 30 is such that, with its free ends flush with the line of the outer face of the lower slider wing 22, the connecting or closed end 33 thereof projects through the aperture 21 of the front or upper slider wing 2|.

The legs 3|, 32 of the locking member may be provided intermediate their ends with bends or curved protrusions 34, 34a which, in the locking position of said locking member, are adapted to engage or be engaged by the freshly disengaged fastener elements moving through the crotch of the Y-shaped slider channel. By reference to Fig. 2 wherein the right leg 3| of the locking member is shown to be in locking engagement with fastener elements of the right hand row thereof, it will be observed that the width (vertical dimension) of the protrusion 34 is such that it can extend into the space between the upper surface of a locking head formed on one fastener element, such as the element |4a of the right hand row thereof, and the under or recessed face of the next higher fastener element Mb. The protrusion 34a is similarly dimensioned to extend into the space between the heads of two adjacent fastener elements of the opposite row thereof.

Thus, in the normal or looking position of the locking member 30, either of its legs 3|, 32 may function as a locking leg, depending on which of the legs, or more properly, the leg protrusions 34, 34a thereof, happens, at the instant the slider is stopped, to be so positioned that it can move laterally into the space between two adjacently disposed element heads. Referring to Fig. 3, the leg 3| is shown in its locking or obstructing position with respect to adjacent fastener elements 1 of the right hand row. This view illustrates another feature of the invention according to which the protrusion 34a of the other locking leg 32 is engaged by the head of the oppositely disposed fastener element |5a of the left hand row thereof with which it lines up, such engagement slightly contracting the legs and resulting in the leg 3| being held in its locking position by the spring action of the other leg combined therewith. It will be understood that if the protrusion 34a of the left hand leg 32 is in the favorable position upon cessation of slider movement to move laterally into the space between the heads of two fastener elements of the left hand row thereof,

it will partake of such movement under the spring action of the other leg whose protrusion will then be engaged by the head of an element of the right hand row thereof with which it lines up.

From its mounting in the wing openings 21, 28, and the manner in which the inclined ends 3|a, 32a of its legs engage with the correspondingly inclined side edges 29, 29a of the lower wing opening 28, which latter has appreciable width, the locking member 30 is shiftable under spring tension through or transversely of the slider body by a limited amount. This shifting movement is applied, according to a further feature of the invention, in the manner now to be described. The closed end 33 of the locking member, which projects through the aperture 21 of the upper slider wing 22 functions as a bail by which a conventional pull tab 36, as is usually employed to actuate the slider, is hinge'dly secured to the slider. To this end, both legs of the locking member are pierced adjacent the closed end thereof to provide apertures 38, 39 for the reception of hinge trunnions or pintles 40, 4| formed on the pull tab as shown and which extend into said apertures 38, 39. As seen in Fig. 5, the pull tabis provided in its hinged-end edge with extending portions providing cams 42, 43 adapted, when the pull tab is raised to its actuating position, to bear on the front face of the upper slider wing 2|.

When the pull tab is so raised, the cam portions 42, 43 effect limited withdrawal of the locking member 30 from the slider body to the approximate position shown in Fig. 4, wherein the curved protrusions 34, 34a of the locking member legs clear the fastener elements of both rows thereof embraced within the slider, and accordingly said slider may befreely operated in either closing or opening direction in the conventional manner. It will be seen that the protrusions 34, 34a in the unlocking or clearing position of the locking member engage against the inner edges of the front slider wing opening 21, "such engagement preventing complete withdrawal of the locking member from the slider body.

Consequent to such withdrawing movement, the free ends of the legs 3| ,32 are contracted through their engagement with the inclined side edges of the wing aperture 28, in opposition to their normal tendency to expand or open. This tendency of the legs to expand is utilized to effect return movement of'the locking member 30 to its normal locking position within the slider body, upon the pull tab 36 being lowered. to its normal position. Accordingly, the slider normally maintains itself locked against movement in all positions to which it is actuated when the pull tab is'lowered. Upon the pull tab being raised for intentional actuation of the slider in either opening or closing direction, the slider is automatically interlocked and may be actuated in conventional manner. V

According to the modified construction of looking member illustrated in Fig. 5, the locking leg 3| only is provided with a protrusion 34a, the spring leg being formed generally straightway, as shown. As in the prior described construction, the free ends 3|a, 32a of both legs of the locking member 30 are inclined to correspond to the inclination of the side edges of the opening 28 of the lower slider wing.

Although a locking member of U-section has been illustrated, it will be understood that the U-formation of locking member is not essential.

On the other hand, any locking member or bar extending through the slider body, and which is mounted for shifting movement relatively thereof, and which is spring-urged to its locking position when the pull tab is in its normal lowered position and spring-returned from its unlocking to its locking position in response to lowering movement of the pull tab, is intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Without further analysis, it will be seen that the invention achieves the stated. and other .desirable objects in providing an automatic lock slider for slide fasteners which is capable of lockingitself against movement out of any position to which it has been actuated along the rows of fastener elements and of automatically unlocking itself upon raising the tab to actuate the slider in either opening or closing direction. Due to the mounting of the locking member substantially within the slider body, the slider lock is not .apt to damage any parts of the fastener or to interfere with the desirable smooth functioning of the slider. Moreover, the locking slider 0f the invention is of simple construction and design, and is reliable and effective in operation.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. An automatic lock slider for slide fasteners comprising spaced front and rear wings defining a Y-shaped channel, a divider extending between said wings for effecting disengagement of oppositely disposed fastener elements arranged in parallel rows in response to movement of the slider in opening direction, a combined U-form locking and bail member extending between said wings in the crotch portion of the slider below said divider in position to act or to be acted upon by disengaged fastener elements disposed in said crotch portion, said member being made from spring material and being positioned so that its closed end projects through an aperture in the front wing and serves as a hail, the free ends of the legs projecting through an aperture in the rear wing and terminating flush with the outer face of said wingsaid free ends being oppositely inclined to one another and bearing on the edges of the rear wing aperture which are correspondingly inclined, thereby normally to maintain said member in a normal retracted position, at least one of the legs of said member having a lateral projection adapted in said retracted position of the member to enter the space between two adjacent fastener elements of one row thereof upon the other leg being engaged by an opposite fastener element of the other row thereof, thereby to lock the slider against movement, a pull tab hingedly connected to said bail, cam means on said pull tab operative upon movement thereof to raised slider actuating position to effect forward bodily movement of the member through the slider to a position in which the projection on its one leg clears said fastener elements, said inclined free ends of the legs coacting with the inclined aperture edges to effect contraction of the legs responsively to said forward movement of the member, said contraction supplying a spring force for returning said member to its normal retracted position upon return movement of the pull tab to its normal lowered position.

2. An automatic lock. slider for slide fasteners comprising spaced front and rear wings defining a Y-shaped channel, a divider extending between said wings for effecting disengagement of oppositely disposed fastener elements arranged in parallel rows in response to movement of the slider in opening direction, a U-shaped locking member extending between said wings in the crotch portion of the slider below said divider in position to act or to be acted upon by disengaged fastener elements disposed in said crotch portion, the closed end of said locking member projecting through the front slider wing and serving as a bail, said locking member being mounted for limited shifting movement both laterally of the slider center line and transversely through the slider and having a normal locking position in which one leg thereof extends into the, space between adjacent fastener elements of one row thereof and its other leg is engaged by the locking head of a fastener element of the opposite row thereof, a pull tab hingedly connected to the bail end of said locking member for movement from a normal lowered to a raised slideractuating position, said pull tab being operative responsively to its movement from normal to slider actuating position as aforesaid to effect bodily shifting movement of said locking member through the slider to a non-locking position in which both legs of said locking member clear the opposite fastener elements, said U-shaped locking member being made from spring material whereby its legs are capable of expanding and contracting with respect to one another, and means for effecting contraction of said legs upon thelocking member being shifted transversely through the slider to its non-locking position, the contraction of said legs supplying a spring force for effecting return of said locking member to its normal locking position upon return movement of the pull tab to its normal lowered position.

3. An automatic lock slider for slide fasteners comprising spaced front and rear wings defining a Y-shaped channel, a divider extending between said wings for effecting disengagement of oppositely disposed fastener elements arranged in parallel rows in response to movement of the slider in opening direction, a U-shaped locking member extending between said wings in the crotch portion of the slider below said divider in position to act or to be acted upon by disengaged fastener elements disposed in said crotch portion, the closed end of said locking member projecting through the front slider wing and serving as a bail, said locking member being mounted for limited shifting movement both laterally of the slider center line and transversely through the slider and having a normal locking position in which one leg thereof extends into the space between adjacent fastener elements of one row thereof and its other leg is engaged by the looking head of a fastener element of the opposite row thereof, a pull tab hingedly connected to the bail end of said locking member for movement from a normal lowered to a raised slider actuating position, said pull tab being operative responsively to its movement from normal to slider actuating position as aforesaid to effect bodily shifting movement of said locking member through the slider to a non-locking position in which both legs of said locking member clear the opposite fastener elements, said U-shaped locking member being made from spring material and including divergent legs whose free ends are oppositely inclined out of the plane of said legs, said free ends extending into an aperture of the rear wing and bearing on aperture edges which are correspondingly inclined, the construction and arrangement being such that coaction of said inclined free ends and aperture edges causes contraction of the legs of the locking member upon the latter being shifted to its non-locking position, and that the tendency of the legs to expand supplies a spring force for returning said looking member to its normal locking position upon movement of the pull tab to its normal lowered position.

LOUIS W. SCHAAFF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,174,161 Marinsky Sept. 26, 1939 2,214,704 Bailey Sept. 10, 1940 2,270,221 Puc Jan. 13, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 205,504 Switzerland June 30, 1939 

